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Health 05.04.18
37 Free Prescriptions Now BANNED on the NHS in Government Attempt to Save £136million Per Year
Why have 37 Free Prescriptions Been Banned on the NHS?
You may have seen in the press recently that paracetamol is now banned from being dished out free by doctors. However, are you aware that 37 different treatments for minor conditions are also banned from being prescribed. This is to save the NHS an estimated £136 million per year, as the banned treatments are available over-the-counter for a small fee. This saving will free up time for doctors and budget for more serious conditions.
What Do the NHS Say?
NHS England’s Chief Executive Simon Stevens, said: “To do the best for our patients and for taxpayers it’s vital the NHS uses its funding well. This consultation gives the public the opportunity to help family doctors decide how best to deploy precious NHS resources, freeing-up money from the drugs bill to reinvest in modern treatments for major conditions such as cancer, mental health and emergency care.”
To put the current expenditure into perspective, the NHS currently spend £4.5 million on free dandruff shampoo prescriptions, which is enough to fund a further 4,700 cataract operations or 1,200 hip replacements every year.
What Are the 37 Banned Treatments?
So, before you go to your GP requesting care for a minor illness, you may wish to refer to the list of treatments that are now banned below:
- Paracetamol
- Probiotics
- Vitamins & Minerals
- Acute Sore Throat
- Cold Sores
- Conjunctivitis
- Coughs & Colds
- Cradle Cap
- Haemorrhoids
- Infant Colic
- Mild Cystitis
- Mild Dermatitis
- Dry & Sore Eyes
- Earwax
- Excessive Sweating
- Headlice
- Indigestion
- Constipation
- Migraines
- Insect Bites
- Mild Acne
- Mild Dry Skin
- Sunburn
- Sun Protection
- Hayfever
- Minor Burns
- Minor Pain Conditions
- Migraines (if Infrequent)
- Mouth Ulcers
- Nappy Rash
- Oral Thrush
- Teething
- Prevention of Dental Caries
- Ringworm / Athletes Foot
- Threadworms
- Travel Sickness
- Veruccas and Warts
Where Can You Buy These Treatments?
Over the counter treatments for these minor condition treatments start at as little as 19p, as you can see here at Asda. However, for more specific treatments, it is worth speaking to a pharmacist or the NHS helpline (111) for advice on what medicine is sufficient. If you are too busy to contact or visit a pharmacist, you should visit an online pharmacy such as RXLive. RXLive are an online pharmacy that deliver NHS repeat prescriptions or private treatments free within 48 hours. The online pharmacy also has a live chat feature, that allows you to talk about your concerns with a pharmacist, completely free! To access their free NHS repeat prescription and private prescriptions delivery service, simply visit www.rxlive.co.uk and press ‘sign up’!
